Child and Youth Welfare: Demand for Federal Competence

A central concern: the transfer of state competencies in child and youth welfare to the federal government.

Both the umbrella organization of Austrian child and youth facilities (DÖJ) and the Ombudsman Board criticized again on Wednesday in press releases the state competency in child and youth welfare that has existed since 2019. This leads to significant regional differences, for example in support services, staffing ratios and group sizes in child and youth residential groups, and in the training requirements for staff, criticized Ombudsman Bernhard Achitz.

Day of Children's Rights: Quality Standards for Out-of-Family Care Demanded

A number of other institutions, such as FICE-Austria, the Children's Rights Network, the Child and Youth Advocacy Offices, and the Federal Youth Representation, would also advocate for nationwide and quality-assured child and youth welfare, emphasized DÖJ Chairman Gerald Herowitsch-Trinkl, directing his appeal particularly to Family Minister Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP).

Ombudsman Achitz also called for the mandatory introduction of quality standards for out-of-family care from FICE, the international organization for educational assistance. According to the current child and youth welfare statistics, 13,050 children and adolescents were placed in so-called "full care" last year. To avoid this as much as possible and to enable minors to remain with their families, the Ombudsman Board also called for the expansion of outpatient assistance.

The situation in out-of-home care, on the other hand, is precarious, criticized the Austrian Relief Organization. There are long waiting times and overcrowded facilities. The Relief Organization warned against budget cuts in child and youth welfare. Due to a lack of financial resources, there are repeated cases of child welfare endangerment.

Family Association Urges Stronger Protection in Violence Proceedings

The Children's Friends also warned in a press release against financial cuts and made a number of demands, including comprehensive child protection and access to medical and therapeutic care, a free and full-day kindergarten place, and the introduction of a basic child security.

The Austrian Family Association, meanwhile, called for more protection for children and adolescents in proceedings involving violence against minors. Family Association President and National Council Member Johanna Jachs (ÖVP) advocated for a ban on quoting in such proceedings. She also urged for the mandatory involvement of child protection centers at the first police contact and for secured psychosocial and legal process support by specialized institutions during the criminal proceedings.

(APA/Red)

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